Tales of the MERC Part Three: My name is Alys

Three years ago the shades attacked Base-Camp and killed nearly every man, woman and child in the surrounds. It was the worst defeat suffered by the MERC in more than two hundred years. In the intervening time that followed, two magnificent keeps rose from the dust, each more glorious by far than their predecessor. And yet, even with twin keeps, there remained doubt and fear. The shades were always lurking. Despite that, it was a prosperous time for the MERC and for those who served the MERC. The Merchant Lords were happy. Completion of the keeps meant more gold in their pockets. Folk were wealthier than most could ever recall. Even those up in Squatters Town had plenty. But there were some who doubted, doomsayers they called them. For her part Malice hadn't dreamed in longer than she could recall. It was her special talent, but it would not manifest. Content to coddle Hari, still she worried. And Stout, her husband, was eager to see his long time friend, Hugh Drenel, for the first time in more than a year. The not-so-subtle attacks by MERC regulars were getting worse. No one had gotten hurt yet, but it was coming. With the disappearance of a little girl named Alys around Squatters Town, rivalries abated as people tried to help. They never did find the girl though.